NEW DELHI: Left-arm spinners Saumy Kumar Pandey and Musheer Khan played pivotal roles in a commanding performance by the defending champions, India, as they outclassed Bangladesh by 84 runs in the opening game of the ICC U-19 World Cup on Saturday.
Despite posting a seemingly modest total of 251 for 7, the Indian spin duo effectively stifled the run flow, dismissing the ‘Tiger Cubs’ for a meager 167 in 45.5 overs.
AS IT HAPPENED: India vs Bangladesh, U-19 World Cup
Choosing to bat after being invited by Bangladesh, skipper Uday Saharan (64 off 94 balls) and left-handed opener Adarsh Singh (76 off 96 balls) both contributed half-centuries. Saumy, with figures of 4/24, bowled economically and delivered lethal arm balls with a skiddy action, while all-rounder Musheer (2/35) utilized subtle variations to tighten the noose around the Bangladeshi batters. Musheer, the younger brother of Mumbai’s domestic stalwart Sarfaraz Khan, also showcased his athleticism with a crucial run-out.

Noteworthy was the composed demeanor of Saumy and Musheer, who executed their duties with thorough professionalism, refraining from overt celebrations.
The match had its share of intensity, with players from both sides engaging in sledging, reflecting the historical tension between the two teams across senior men, senior women, and U-19 levels.
For the Indian team, this victory was particularly sweet as it avenged their loss to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup semi-final.

Despite the Indian batters facing challenges in finding boundaries, the target was never below par, given the historical average score for teams batting first in Youth ODIs at this ground. India’s total of 251/7 was the third-highest score at this venue. Sachin Dhas, designated as the team’s finisher, displayed admirable technique and temperament during the death overs, contributing an unbeaten cameo of 26 off 20 balls, taking the score past the 250-run mark.

Even though the Bangladeshi bowlers created pressure by bowling 26 overs of dot balls, left-arm seamer Maruf Mridha’s efforts (5/43) were notable. He varied his lengths effectively, employing a skiddy action similar to Mustafizur Rahman, and troubled the India colts with a mix of cutters and wide yorkers.
The foundation of the Indian innings was laid by Adarsh and skipper Saharan, who added 116 runs for the third wicket. Despite facing challenges against the Bangladesh spinners, the duo’s partnership proved crucial in setting up India’s competitive total.